Reference: Power Of The Keys
Hastings
In ecclesiastical history the phrase is associated primarily with the so-called 'Privilege of Peter,' upon which the dogma of papal supremacy has been built, but also with the delegated authority of an official priesthood to pronounce sentence of the absolution or the retention of sins.
1. The fundamental passage is Mt 16:18. When St. Peter at C
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I will also lay the key of David's house upon his shoulders, and if he open, no man shall shut: and if he do shut, no man shall open.
Then said he unto them, "Therefore every scribe which is taught unto the kingdom of heaven, is like a householder, which bringeth forth, out of his treasure, things both new and old."
And Jesus answered, and said to him, "Happy art thou, Simon the son of Jonas, for flesh and blood hath not opened unto thee that, but my father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter. And upon this rock, I will build my congregation: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter. And upon this rock, I will build my congregation: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. And whatsoever ye loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Woe be to you lawyers: for ye have taken away the key of knowledge, ye entered not in yourselves, and them that came in ye forbade."
And the Lord said, "If there be any faithful servant, and wise, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their duty of meat, at due season:
Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished: which came early unto the sepulchre,
And they told what things was done in the way, and how they knew him in breaking of bread.
Whosoever's sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: And whosoever's sins ye retain, they are retained."
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Since now that he by the righthand of God exalted is, and hath received of the father the promise of the holy ghost, he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear. read more. For David is not ascended into heaven, but he said, 'The Lord said to my Lord sit on my right hand, until I make thy foes, thy footstool.' So therefore let all the house of Israel know for a surety, that God hath made the same Jesus whom ye have crucified, Lord and Christ."
Then they that gladly received his preaching were baptised; And the same day, there were added unto them about a three thousand souls.
Howbeit, they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, "Of a truth I perceive, that God is not partial: but in all people, he that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. read more. Ye know the preaching that God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, which is Lord over all things;
Ye know the preaching that God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, which is Lord over all things; which preaching was published throughout all Jewry, and began in Galilee, after the baptism preached by John;
which preaching was published throughout all Jewry, and began in Galilee, after the baptism preached by John; How God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy ghost, and with power; which Jesus went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devils, for God was with him.
How God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy ghost, and with power; which Jesus went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devils, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did in the land of the Jews and at Jerusalem: whom they slew, and hung on tree. read more. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly, not to all the people, but unto us witnesses chosen before of God, which ate and drank with him, after he arose from death. And he commanded unto us to preach unto the people and testify, that it is he that is ordained of God, a judge of quick and dead. To him giveth all the prophets witness, that through his name all that believe in him shall receive remission of sins." While Peter yet spake these words, the holy ghost fell on all them which heard the preaching. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the gentiles also was shed out the gift of the holy ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptised, which have received the holy ghost as well as we?" And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him, to tarry a few days.
They which were scattered abroad through the affliction that arose about Stephen, walked throughout till they came unto Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no man, but unto the Jews only.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted; The holy ghost said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them."
When they were come and had gathered the congregation together, they rehearsed all that God had done by them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
And the apostles and elders came together to reason of this matter. And when there was much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them, "Ye men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago, God chose among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
And when there was much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them, "Ye men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago, God chose among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God which knoweth the heart, bare them witness, and gave unto them the holy ghost, even as he did unto us; read more. And he put no difference between them and us, but with faith purified their hearts. Now therefore, why tempt ye God, that ye would put a yoke on the disciples necks which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, as they do."
And when they held their peace, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren hearken unto me;
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the gentiles are turned to God:
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole congregation, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas, called also Barsabbas, and Silas, which were chief men among the brethren: and gave them letters in their hands after this manner, "The apostles, elders, and brethren send greetings unto the brethren which are of the gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. read more. Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which departed from us, have troubled you with words, and cumbered your minds saying ye must be circumcised and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment. It seemed therefore to us a good thing, when we were come together with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul: men that have jeopardized their lives, for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, which shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the holy ghost and to us, to put no grievous thing to you more than these necessary things,
Paul, after this, tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, Priscilla and Aquila accompanying him. And he shore his head in Cenchreae. For he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the Synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. read more. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not,
And when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him in the face, for he was worthy to be blamed.
Brethren, if any man be fallen by chance into any fault, ye which are spiritual, help to amend him, in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
But ye have an ointment of the holy ghost, and ye know all things.
"And write unto the tidings-bringer of the congregation of Philadelphia, 'This saith he that is holy and true, which hath the key of David; which openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth.